Vehicle tracking systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A user interface can provide location information (e.g., related to vehicles). Some embodiments include providing user access to a location management dashboard module. The location management dashboard module can include a graphical mapping module configured to display one or more groups of tracking devices. A first tracking device can be associated with the user and a second tracking device can be associated with a vehicle that the user is capable of monitoring. In several embodiments, the system enables the user to know the locations of vehicles in the user&#39;s area and enables the user to monitor a vehicle&#39;s location as the vehicle approaches the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The entire contents of the following patents are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 8,224,355; U.S. Pat. No. 8,421,618; U.S.Pat. No. 8,421,619; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,497,774.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/485,990; filed Sep. 15, 2014; and entitled ACTIVATING BUILDING ASSETSBASED ON AN INDIVIDUAL'S LOCATION.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/285,070; filed May 22, 2014; and entitled POWER CONSERVATION METHODSTO UPDATE A POSITION FIX OF A MOBILE LOCATION TRACKING DEVICE.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.12/143,436; filed Jun. 20, 2008; and entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORIMPROVED COMMUNICATION BANDWIDTH UTILIZATION WHEN MONITORING LOCATIONINFORMATION.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.13/356,599; filed Jan. 23, 2012; and entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FORDETERMINING LOCATION AND TRACKING COORDINATES OF A TRACKING DEVICE.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.13/356,643; filed Jan. 23, 2012; and entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FORDETERMINING LOCATION AND TRACKING COORDINATES OF A TRACKING DEVICE.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.11/933,024; filed Oct. 31, 2007; and entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FORMANUFACTURING AN ELECTRONIC PACKAGE.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.12/534,050; filed Jul. 31, 2009; and entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FORGENERATING POSITION FIX OF A TRACKING DEVICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASUBSCRIBER SERVICE USAGE PROFILE TO CONSERVE TRACKING DEVICE POWER.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.13/330,759; filed Dec. 20, 2011; and entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORCREATING AND MANAGING A PERSONALIZED WEB INTERFACE FOR MONITORINGLOCATION INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUALS AND OBJECTS USING TRACKING DEVICES.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.13/550,593; filed Jul. 16, 2012; and entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORCREATING AND MANAGING A PERSONALIZED WEB INTERFACE FOR MONITORINGLOCATION INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUALS AND OBJECTS USING TRACKING DEVICES.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.11/784,318; filed Apr. 5, 2007; and entitled COMMUNICATION SYSTEM ANDMETHOD INCLUDING COMMUNICATION BILLING OPTIONS.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.11/784,400; filed Apr. 5, 2007; and entitled COMMUNICATION SYSTEM ANDMETHOD INCLUDING DUAL MODE CAPABILITY.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.11/753,979; filed May 25, 2007; and entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FORPROVIDING LOCATION INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUALS AND OBJECTS USING TRACKINGDEVICES.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.11/935,901; filed Nov. 6, 2007; and entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORCREATING AND MANAGING A PERSONALIZED WEB INTERFACE FOR MONITORINGLOCATION INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUALS AND OBJECTS USING TRACKING DEVICES.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.11/969,905; filed Jan. 6, 2008; and entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FORDETERMINING LOCATION AND TRACKING COORDINATES OF A TRACKING DEVICE.

The entire contents of the following application are incorporated byreference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.12/419,451; filed Apr. 7, 2009; and entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FORADJUSTING REFRESH RATE OF LOCATION COORDINATES OF A TRACKING DEVICE.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Various inventions described herein relate generally to the field oflocating and tracking communication systems. More particularly, someembodiments relate to power conservation methodologies and apparatuses,which can be incorporated as part of a portable electronic trackingdevice for individuals and objects to improve battery life by a wirelesslocation and tracking system and/or wireless communication system (WCS).

2. Description of Related Technology

Accelerometers are conventionally integrated into electronics systemsthat are part of a vehicle, vessel, and airplane to detect, measure, andmonitor deflections, vibrations, and acceleration. Accelerometers, forexample, may include one or more Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)devices. In particular, MEMS devices include one or more suspendedcantilever beams (e.g., single-axis, dual-axis, and three-axis models),as well as deflection sensing circuitry. Accelerometers are utilized bya multitude of electronics manufacturers.

For instance, electronics gaming manufacturers exploit anaccelerometer's deflection sensing capability, for instance, to measuredevice tilt and control game functionality. In another instance,consumer electronics manufacturers, e.g., Apple, Ericsson, and Nike,incorporate accelerometers in personal electronic devices, e.g., AppleiPhone to provide a changeable screen display orientation that togglesbetween portrait and landscape layout window settings; to manage humaninputs through a human interface, e.g., Apple iPod® touch screeninterface; and to measure game movement and tilt, e.g., Wii gamingremotes. Still others including automobile electronics circuitrymanufacturers utilize MEMS accelerometers to initiate airbag deploymentin accordance with a detected collision severity level by measuringnegative vehicle acceleration.

Other electronics manufacturer products, e.g., Nokia 5500 sport, countstep motions using a 3D accelerometer, and translate user informationvia user's taps or shaking motion to select song titles and to enablemp3 player track switching. In another instance, portable or laptopcomputers include hard-disk drives integrated with an accelerometer todetect displacement or falling incidents. For instance, when a hard-diskaccelerometer detects a low-g condition, e.g., indicating free-fall andexpected shock, a hard-disk write feature may be temporarily disabled toavoid accidental data overwriting and prevent stored data corruption.After free-fall and expected shock, the hard-disk write feature isenabled to allow data to be written to one or more hard-disk tracks.Still others including medical product manufacturers utilizeaccelerometers to measure depth of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)chest compressions. Sportswear manufacturers, e.g., Nike sports watchesand footwear, incorporate accelerometers to feedback speed and distanceto a runner via a connected iPod® Nano.

Still others including manufacturers of conventional inertial navigationsystems deploy one or more accelerometers as part of, for instance,on-board electronics of a vehicle, vessel, train and/or airplane. Inaddition to accelerometer measurements, conventional inertial navigationsystems integrate one or more gyroscopes with the on-board electronicsto assist tracking including performing various measurements, e.g.,tilt, angle, and roll. More specifically, gyroscopes measure angularvelocity, for instance, of a vehicle, vessel, train, and/or airplane inan inertial reference frame. The inertial reference frame, provided, forinstance, by a human operator, a GPS receiver, or position and velocitymeasurements from one or more motion sensors.

More specifically, integration of measured inertial accelerationscommences with, for instance, original velocity, for instance, of avehicle, vessel, train, and/or airplane to yield updated inertial systemvelocities. Another integration of updated inertial system velocitiesyields an updated inertial system orientation, e.g., tilt, angle, androll, within a system limited positioning accuracy. In one instance toimprove positioning accuracy, conventional inertial navigation systemsutilize GPS system outputs. In another instance to improve positioningaccuracy, conventional inertial navigation systems intermittently resetto zero inertial tracking velocity, for instance, by stopping theinertial navigation system. In yet other examples, control theory andKalman filtering provide a framework to combine motion sensorinformation in attempts to improve positional accuracy of the updatedinertial system orientation.

Potential drawbacks of many conventional inertial navigation systemsinclude electrical and mechanical hardware occupying a large real estatefootprint and requiring complex electronic measurement and controlcircuitry with limited applicably to changed environmental conditions.Furthermore, many conventional inertial navigation system calculationsare prone to accumulated acceleration and velocity measurement errors.For instance, many conventional inertial navigation acceleration andvelocity measurement errors are on the order of 0.6 nautical miles perhour in position and tenths of a degree per hour in orientation.

In contrast to conventional inertial navigation systems, a conventionalGlobal Positioning Satellite (GPS) system uses Global PositioningSignals (GPS) to monitor and track location coordinates communicatedbetween location coordinates monitoring satellites and an individual oran object having a GPS transceiver. In this system, GPS monitoring oflocation coordinates is practical when a GPS transceiver receives atleast a minimal GPS signal level. However, a minimal GPS signal levelmay not be detectable when an individual or object is not located in askyward position. For instance, when an individual or object carrying aGPS transceiver enters a covered structure, e.g., a garage, a parkingstructure, or a large building, GPS satellite communication signals maybe obstructed or partially blocked, hindering tracking and monitoringcapability. Not only is a GPS transceiver receiving a weak GPS signal,but also the GPS transceiver is depleting battery power in failedattempts to acquire communication signals from one or more locationcoordinates monitoring satellites, e.g., GPS satellites, or out-of-rangelocation coordinates reference towers. Furthermore, weak GPScommunication signals may introduce errors in location coordinatesinformation.

In addition during the acquisition of signaling and or otherinformation, a conventional GPS transceiver has limited functionality orcapabilities associated with control and monitoring of battery powerusage. For instance, a conventional GPS transceiver may have someindication battery charge level such as a power level bar but have veryfew or any ability or capability to control or reduce power usage.Furthermore, often users do not realize or are only alerted when theirGPS transceiver is using reserve power or about to suddenlyinvoluntarily shut-down to prevent data loss and loss of other userinformation such as personal GPS settings, screen color displays, anduser recreational or pleasure settings.

More specifically, users of conventional GPS transceivers typically areunprepared for such a sudden loss of GPS transceiver service. Generally,within minutes of an initial warning indication, e.g., beeping,vibration, voice, alarms or combination thereof, the GPS transceivershuts off. As such, a user may suddenly experience loss of locationdetermination or location based capabilities or monitoring or beingmonitored capabilities and not prepared for such sudden outage.Furthermore, even if a user could reduce battery power usage, a result,within the last few minutes of battery power, a user has little or noincentive or capability to alter battery usage of a conventional GPStransceiver due to low power level GPS transceivers may suddenly becomenon-operational without any warning to or recourse to a user. Thus, whena conventional GPS transceiver is low in power level, a user's mostviable alternative would be locating an electrical outlet to rechargetheir conventional GPS transceiver.

Furthermore, other more recent publications disclosure a mobilecomputing device, such as the one described in US Publication No. US2009/0098903 with Publication Date of Apr. 16, 2009 entitled “UsingWireless Characteristic to Trigger Generation of Position Fix” having awireless transceiver, a location determination circuit and a processingcircuit. In the disclosure of this publication, the wireless transceiveris configured to receive a wireless signal over a short range wirelessnetwork from a wireless system and the processing circuit is configuredto detect a change in the wireless signal and in response to thedetected change, to generate a position fix using the location determinecircuit.

In summary, there is a need for an electronic tracking device andmethodology that provides additional advantages over conventionalsystems such as improved power management, e.g., efficient use ofbattery power and provide other improvements include supplementingconventional electronic tracking device monitoring, e.g., increasedmeasurement accuracy of location coordinates of objects and individualstraveling into and/or through a structure, e.g., a partially coveredbuilding, a parking structure, or a substantially enclosed structure,such as a basement or a storage area in a high-rise office building.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention, mobile location trackingdevice is disclosed to communicate location coordinate information tosubscriber. In one embodiment, location coordinate acquisition device(e.g., Global System for Mobile Communication (GPS) acquisition device)generates a position fix; and location coordinate transceiver device(e.g., Global Positioning Radio System (GPRS) and/or Global SignalManage (GSM) transceiver device) reports the position fix to a locationtracking server. In one example, computational processor includes aninternal clock. Memory device stores a zone management map havingselected location coordinate zones to indicate restricted and allowableareas or locations. Internal clock activates and deactivates one or moresections or portions of mobile location tracking device in accordancewith subscriber service usage application. In one embodiment, thesubscriber service usage application is a software application that isresident (e.g., stored) on a flash memory device associated with mobilelocation tracking device that contains, for instance, subscriber serviceusage profile, history, and the like.

In one embodiment, subscriber service usage application determines a fixfrequency update rate for mobile location tracking device. In anotherembodiment, GPRS transmission device and computational processorcomprises an activated mode and deactivated mode in accordance with thesubscriber service usage application. In another embodiment, theinternal clock activates or deactivates location coordinate transceiverdevice (e.g., GPRS and/or GSM transceiver device) and the computationprocessor in accordance with a current position fix of mobile locationtracking device relative to selected location coordinate zones (e.g.,restricted, allowed) on zone management map.

In one variant, subscriber service usage application includes a prior orscheduled daily or monthly profile of a subscriber designated reportinginterval for mobile location tracking device. In another embodiment,GPRS transceiver device includes a deactivated mode comprises GPRStransceiver device being in a switched-off mode and not in servicecontact with subscriber and to receive SMS messages sent duringswitched-off mode during upcoming switched-on mode.

In a second aspect of the present invention, power management device isdisclosed to determine update rate and reporting frequency of a positionfix of mobile location tracking device having accelerometer to locationtracking server. In one embodiment, power management device includes acomputational processor having an internal clock, the internal clockactivates and deactivates location tracking coordinate transceiver andacquisition GSM and GPRS modules and GPS modules of mobile locationtracking device substantially independently of communicated signals bylocation tracking server.

In one variant, internal clock incorporates mobile location trackingdevice motion inputs from accelerometer to determine whether to activateand deactivate transmission and acquisition GSM and GPRS modules oflocation tracking device. In yet another variant, computation processorand/or subscriber service usage application utilizes the motion inputsacquired from the accelerometer to update a previous position fix to acurrent position fix for mobile location tracking device. In anotherembodiment, the current position fix updates reporting frequency of aposition fix of mobile location tracking device.

In one variant, upon activation by internal clock, GPS module receivescurrent position fix, and reporting frequency of position fix of mobilelocation tracking device is updated in accordance with the currentposition fix at least partially in accordance with subscriber serviceusage profile utilized by subscriber service usage application, which,in one variant, is stored in the flash memory device, and GPSacquisition device returns to a deactivated mode. In yet anotherembodiment, the subscriber service usage applications updates inaccordance with a SMS message communicated between a mobile cellulardevice or a location tracking server and the mobile location trackingdevice. In one embodiment, subscriber service usage profile comprises azone map of selected location coordinates and updates in accordance withSMS message communicated between mobile cellular device or locationtracking server and mobile location tracking device.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed thatconserves device power by controlling update of and reporting ofposition fix of a mobile location tracking device being tracked to alocation tracking server. In this method, GPS acquisition devicegenerates a current position fix. The current position fix is comparedrelative to a zone map of designated allowed and restricted locationcoordinate zones. In one variant, the zone map is stored in a flashmemory device associated with the mobile location tracking device. AGPRS/GSM transmission device reports the current position fix to thelocation tracking server. In one variant, the GPRS/GSM transmissiondevice and a computational processor are deactivated in accordance withsubscriber service usage pattern and/or the current position fixrelative to the zone map of designated allowed and restricted locationcoordinate zones.

Continuing with this embodiment, internal clock activates substantiallyindependent of communicated signals from location tracking server, GPSacquisition device, GPRS/GSM transceiver device in accordance withsubscriber usage service pattern in response to a delta distance, e.g.,a distance between position fix of mobile location tracking devicerelative to zone map of one or more designated allowed and restrictedlocation coordinate zones.

In one variant, deactivation of the GPRS and/or GSM transceiver deviceincludes switching-off the GPRS and/or GSM transceiver device and notproviding service contact with subscriber and to receive SMS messagessent during the switched-off mode during an upcoming switched-on mode.In another variant, internal clock activates GPS acquisition device; GPSacquisition device acquires current position fix; and current positionfix updates reporting frequency of location coordinates to subscriber;and GPS acquisition device returns to the deactivated mode untilactivated by the internal clock.

In another embodiment, a subscriber service usage application and/orcomputational processor analyzes motion measurements acquired fromaccelerometer to determine if current position fix has entered one ormore selected designed or restricted location coordinate zones and hasresulted in a zone violation.

These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of thepresent invention will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art byreference to the following description of the invention and referenceddrawings or by practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages andfeatures of the invention are realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of an electronic tracking device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a location tracking system associated with theelectronic tracking device and the wireless network in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram to manage and control circuitryassociated with the electronic tracking device of FIGS. 1 and 2 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a screen display including a user definableadjustable power level monitor in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a location coordinate navigational system utilizinguser definable power level monitor of FIG. 4 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a location coordinate navigation system utilizing auser definable power level monitor of FIG. 4 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a user definable adjustable powerlevel monitor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a location coordinate system utilizing a mobilelocation tracking device that has a position fix update system thatdeactivates GPS acquisition module, GSM and/or GPRS transceiver modules,utilizing a subscriber service usage application activated by aninternal clock in accordance with subscriber service usage profile inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a graphical mapping representation of restricted andallowed zones of a map management module loaded in a memory device ofthe mobile location tracking device of FIG. 8 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a subscriber service usage profile of the mobilelocation tracking device of FIG. 8 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a collection of data files that form a locationcoordinate library of standardized subscriber service usage profilesthat are utilized to optimize power usage of a subscriber service usageprofile including tracking and reporting intervals in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flow diagram of a mobile tracking device of FIGS.8-11 that has its position fix updated in accordance with subscriberservice usage application in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer tolike parts throughout.

As used herein, the terms “location coordinates” refer withoutlimitation to any set or partial set of integer, real and/or complexlocation data or information such as longitudinal, latitudinal, andelevational positional coordinates.

As used herein, the terms “tracking device” and “electronic trackingdevice” refers to without limitation to any hybrid electronic circuit,integrated circuit (IC), chip, chip set, system-on-a-chip, microwaveintegrated circuit (MIC), Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit(MMIC), low noise amplifier, power amplifier, transceiver, receiver,transmitter and Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that maybe constructed and/or fabricated. The chip or IC may be constructed(“fabricated”) on a small rectangle (a “die”) cut from, for example, aSilicon (or special applications, Sapphire), Gallium Arsenide, or IndiumPhosphide wafer. The IC may be classified, for example, into analogue,digital, or hybrid (both analogue and digital on the same chip and/oranalog-to-digital converter). Digital integrated circuits may containanything from one to millions of logic gates, invertors, and, or, nand,and nor gates, flipflops, multiplexors, etc. on a few squaremillimeters. The small size of these circuits allows high speed, lowpower dissipation, and reduced manufacturing cost compared withboard-level integration.

As used herein, the terms “data transfer”, “tracking and locationsystem”, “location and tracking system”, “location tracking system”, and“positioning system,” refer to without limitation to any system thattransfers and/or determines location coordinates using one or moredevices, such as Global Positioning System (GPS).

As used herein, the terms “Global Positioning System” refer to withoutlimitation to any services, methods or devices that utilize GPStechnology to determine position of a GPS receiver based on measuring asignal transfer time of signals communicated between satellites havingknown positions and the GPS receiver. A signal transfer time isproportional to a distance of a respective satellite from the GPSreceiver. The distance between a satellite and a GPS receiver may beconverted, utilizing signal propagation velocity, into a respectivesignal transfer time. The positional information of the GPS receiver iscalculated based on distance calculations from at least four satellitesto determine positional information of the GPS receiver.

As used herein, the terms “wireless network”, “wireless communication”,“wireless link”, and “wireless transmission” refers to, withoutlimitation, any digital, analog, microwave, and millimeter wavecommunication networks that transfer signals from one location toanother location, such as, but not limited to IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth,WiMax, IS-95, GSM, IS-95, CGM, CDMA, wCDMA, PDC, UMTS, TDMA, and FDMA,or combinations thereof.

Major Features

In one aspect, the present invention discloses an apparatus and methodto provide an improved capability electronic tracking device. In oneembodiment, the device provides electronic circuitry including anaccelerometer to measure location coordinates without requiring GPSsignaling. In this embodiment, location coordinates of an electronictracking device are measured when the electronic tracking device islocated in a partially enclosed structure, e.g., a building or parkinglot, up to a fully enclosed structure. In one embodiment, the electronictracking device conserves battery power when the device is partially orfully blocked access to location coordinates from one or more GPSsatellites, e.g., a primary location tracking system. In yet anotherembodiment, accelerometer measures force applied to the electronictracking device and provides an alert message to a guardian or otherresponsible person. In one embodiment, the alert message includeslocation coordinates of the electronic tracking device and otherinformation, e.g., magnitude or nature of force, as well as possibilityof injury of an object or individual having the electronic trackingdevice. As described though out the following specification, the presentinvention generally provides a portable electronic device configurationfor locating and tracking an individual or an object.

Exemplary Apparatus

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2 and 4-11 exemplary embodiments of theelectronic tracking device of the invention are described in detail.Please note that the following discussions of electronics and componentsfor an electronic tracking device to monitor and locate individuals arenon-limiting; thus, the present invention may be useful in otherelectronic signal transferring and communication applications, such aselectronics modules included in items such as: watches, calculators,clocks, computer keyboards, computer mice, and/or mobile phones tolocation and track trajectory of movement and current location of theseitems within boundaries of or proximity to a room, building, city,state, and country.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that while described primarily inthe context of tracking individuals or objects, at least portions of theapparatus and methods described herein may be used in otherapplications, such as, utilized, without limitation, for control systemsthat monitor components such as transducers, sensors, and electricaland/or optical components that are part of an assembly line process.Moreover, it will be recognized that the present invention may findutility beyond purely tracking and monitoring concerns. Myriad of otherfunctions will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art giventhe present disclosure.

Electronic Tracking Device

Referring to FIG. 1, tracking device 100 contains various electroniccomponents 101 such as transceiver 102, signal processing circuitry 104(e.g., a microprocessor or other signal logic circuitry), andaccelerometer 130. In one non-limiting example, the electroniccomponents 101 are disposed, deposited, or mounted on a substrate 107(e.g., Printed Circuit Board (PCB)). The PCB 107, for example, may bemanufactured from: polyacryclic (PA), polycarbonate (PC), compositematerial, and arylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) substrates, blends orcombinations thereof, or the like (as described in more detail inincorporated by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/933,024filed on Oct. 31, 2007). The signal processing circuitry 104, in oneexample, associated with the tracking device 100 configured to store afirst identification code, produce a second identification code,determine location coordinates, and generate a positioning signal thatcontains location data (as described in more detail in incorporated byreference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/753,979 filed on May 25,2007). For instance, the location data includes longitudinal,latitudinal, and elevational position of a tracking device, currentaddress or recent address of the tracking device, a nearby landmark tothe tracking device, and the like. In one example, electronic trackingdevice 100 is portable, mobile and fits easily within a compact volume,such as standard shirt pocket having approximate dimensions of 1.5 inchby 2.5 inch by 1.0 inch. In yet another example, electronic trackingdevice 100 may be one integrated circuit having dimensionality in the mmrange in all directions (or even smaller).

In one embodiment, location tracking circuitry 114, calculates locationdata received and sends the data to signal processing circuitry 104.Memory 112 stores operating software and data, for instance,communicated to and from signal processing circuit 104 and/or locationtracking circuitry 114, e.g., GPS logic circuitry. In one embodiment, asignal detecting circuitry 115 detects and measures signal power level.In another embodiment, the signal processing circuitry 104 processes andmeasures signal power level. Battery level detection circuitry (e.g.,battery level monitor 116) detects a battery level of battery 118, whichcontains one or more individual units or grouped as a single unit.

In one non-limiting example, antennas 122 a, 122 b electrically coupleto transceiver 102. In one variant, transceiver 102 includes oneintegrated circuit or, in another embodiment, may be multiple individualcircuits or integrated circuits. Transceiver 102 communicates a signalincluding location data between tracking device 100 and the monitoringstation 110, for example, by any of the following including: wirelessnetwork, wireless data transfer station, wired telephone, and Internetchannel. A demodulator circuit 126 extracts baseband signals, forinstance at 100 KHz, including tracking device configuration andsoftware updates, as well as converts a low-frequency AC signal to a DCvoltage level. The DC voltage level, in one example, is supplied tobattery charging circuitry 128 to recharge a battery level of thebattery 118. In one embodiment, a user of monitoring station 110, e.g.,a mobile personal digital assistant, mobile phone, or the like, bylistening (or downloading) one or more advertisements to reduce and/orshift usage charges to another user, account, or database (as describedin more detail in previous incorporated by reference U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 11/784,400 and 11/784,318 each filed on Apr. 5,2007).

In another embodiment, an accelerometer 130, for example, a dual-axisaccelerometer 130, e.g. ADXL320 integrated circuit manufactured byAnalog Devices having two substantially orthogonal beams, may beutilized. The data sheet ADXH320L from Analog Devices is incorporated byreference. In one embodiment, the accelerometer 130 activates upon oneor more designated antenna(s), e.g., antennas 122 a, 122 b, detecting afirst signal level, e.g., a low signal level or threshold value, asspecified by, for instance, a user or system administrator. In onevariant of this embodiment, electrical circuitry associated with GPSsignal acquisition, e.g., all or a portion of amplifier block 120, maybe, for instance, placed on standby or in a sleep mode. In anotherembodiment, the accelerometer 130 remains in a standby mode until, forinstance, a system administrator, a specified time period, or a useractivates the accelerometer 130. In one embodiment, the amplifier block120 includes multiple electronic functions and blocks including a lownoise amplifier, a power amplifier, a RF power switch, or the like,placed in a sleep or standby mode, for instance, to converse a batterylevel of the battery 118.

In another variant of this embodiment, circuitry, such as amplifierblock 120 or location tracking circuitry 114, may be placed in a sleepor standby mode to conserve a battery level of the battery 118. In onevariant, the tracking device 100 periodically checks availability of GPSsignal, e.g., performs a GPS signal acquisition to determine if areceive communication signal is above a first signal level. Referring toembodiment depicted in FIG. 2, electronic tracking device 100 exits anopening 150 in partially enclosed structure 210; thus, electronictracking device 100 may resume GPS signal acquisition using GPSsatellite 143 (e.g., in response to a periodic check by the trackingdevice 100 of a receive communication signal level above a first signallevel).

In one embodiment, system administrator selects a signal noisebandwidth, e.g., within a range of 3 to 500 Hz, of the accelerator 130to measure dynamic acceleration (e.g., due to vibration forces appliedto electronic tracking device 100). In another embodiment, systemadministrator selects a signal noise bandwidth, e.g., within a range of3 to 500 Hz, to measure static acceleration (due to gravitational forcesapplied to electronic tracking device 100). In particular, externalforces on electronic tracking device 100 cause, for example, internalstructural movements, e.g., deflection of dual-axis beams, of theaccelerometer 130. The deflection of dual-axis beams generatesdifferential voltage(s).

Differential voltage(s) are proportional to acceleration measurements,e.g., discrete acceleration measurements, of electronic tracking device100, for instance in x, y, and z directions. Differential voltage(s), inone instance, are relative to, for instance, a last known GPS locationcoordinates of electronic tracking device 100. By performing electronicdevice proximity measurements, e.g., measuring acceleration vectors ofelectronic tracking device 100 at time intervals, e.g., T1, T2, T3 . . .TN, monitoring station 110 computes electronic tracking device velocityat time intervals, e.g., T1, T2, T3 . . . TN. In one embodiment, timeintervals, e.g., T1, T2, and T3 . . . TN are measured in accordance withinstructions by a system administrator or user. In one embodiment, timeintervals are selected within a range of one micro-second to severalminutes.

In one embodiment, the monitoring station 110 performs an integration ofthe acceleration measurements as a function of time to computeelectronic tracking device velocity at time intervals, e.g., T1, T2, andT3 . . . TN. By referencing prior location coordinates, e.g., last knownaccurate location data of the electronic tracking device 100 or lastknown location data of nearby electronic tracking device (e.g., secondtracking device 101 in proximity to electronic tracking device 100),monitoring station 110 computes a current location of electronictracking device 100 utilizing electronic tracking device velocitycomputations. Advantageously, monitoring station 110, in an abovedescribed embodiment, uses above described device proximity measurementsto monitor current location data of electronic tracking device 100without connectivity to receive communication signals from GPSsatellites.

In one embodiment, the monitoring station 110 may include a mobile phonehaving connectivity to wireless network 140 electrically coupled toelectronic tracking device 100 (FIG. 2). In this variant, the wirelessnetwork 140 resides or circulates within at least a portion of asemi-enclosed, partially-enclosed, or fully enclosed structure, e.g.,building, parking structure, closet, storage room, or the like (e.g.,structure 210 in FIG. 2). Furthermore, in one embodiment, the presentinvention conserves battery power by placing on standby, low power mode,or disabling entirely GPS signal acquisition circuitry and otherassociated devices, e.g., all or a portion of amplifier block 120including power amplifiers, LNAs, switches, and the like. Furthermore,during supplemental location coordinates tracking, e.g., electronicdevice proximity measurements, the transceiver circuitry (e.g.,transceiver 102, location tracking circuitry 114, and signal processingcircuitry 104) consumes reduced battery power for GPS circuitry whilethe electronic tracking device 100 communicates displacement vectors(e.g., differential location coordinates) to monitoring station 110(e.g., a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant) through a wirelessnetwork 140. As described above, when GPS signaling is not practicable,electronic device proximity measurements provide differential locationcoordinate information to calculate current location coordinateinformation.

In one embodiment, accelerometer, e.g., accelerometer 130, determines ifelectronic tracking device 100 in a stationary position for a period,for instance, designated by system administrator or user. For example,electronic tracking device 100 may be, for example, located on a countertop, within a pocket of clothing, or inside a suitcase, not being moved,or not currently in use. Continuing with this embodiment, electronictracking device 100 communicates a code, e.g., a stationaryacknowledgement code, to communication network, e.g., wireless network140. In one variant, when or if monitoring station 110 requests locationdata through communication network, electronic tracking device 100determines located in a stationary or substantially stationary positionand electronic tracking device 100 communicates its last-known locationto the monitoring station 110 without accessing or requiring GPSsignaling or active GPS circuitry, e.g., location tracking circuitry114. Advantageously, in this embodiment, when electronic tracking device100 does not utilize and require GPS circuitry, e.g., location trackingcircuitry 114, or functionality, the power resources are preserved ofbattery 118 in contrast to many conventional GPS communication systemcontinuing power-on GPS circuitry. In one embodiment, electronictracking device 130 associated with a person or object remains at asubstantially stationary position approximately one-forth to one-thirdof a calendar day; thus, this feature of not accessing GPS circuitrypreserves battery power.

In another embodiment, an accelerometer, such as accelerometer 130,detects tapping against electronic tracking device 100. For instance,upon wake-up, user prompt, system administrator prompt, or active,accelerometer 130 detects a person or object tapping a sequence onelectronic tracking device 100. In one embodiment, electronic trackingdevice 100 includes digital signal programming circuitry (such as ofsignal processing circuitry 104). The digital signal programmingcircuitry recognizes programmed motions received by accelerometer, suchas accelerometer 130, and transmits an alert message to the monitoringstation 110 upon receiving a recognized motion pattern. For example,electronic tracking device 100 may be programmed to recognize an “SOStap cadence”. Thus, if electronic tracking device 100 is repeatedlytapped, for instance, in a “dot-dot-dot, dash-dash-dash, dot-dot-dot”pattern, signal processing circuitry 104 recognizes a motion pattern andtransmit an alert message to wireless network 114 to monitoring station110. In one instance, alert message may be associated as a distresspattern and will require an appropriate response. In one variant, theaccelerometer may recognize when an object or individual spins or turnsmotion of electronic tracking device 100. Continuing with thisembodiment, signal processing circuitry 104 recognizes programmedmotions, and transceiver 102 transmits an alert message to wirelessnetwork 114 associated with programmed motions. In another variant,electronic tracking device 100 is programmed to recognize other motionpatterns, such as, when it is tumbled or flipped. Depending upon onduration, time, or cadence of these movements or motion patterns,electronic tracking device 100 communicates an alert message to thewireless network 114. In one variant, wireless network 114 performs anappropriate action, such as communicating information signal tomonitoring station 110.

In another example, physical impacts on electronic tracking device 100are measured to determine if an individual or object may be injured. Inone embodiment, magnitude of displacement vectors may be measured by oneor more accelerometers, such as accelerometer 130, disposed at variousinclinations and orientations, e.g., disposed substantially orthogonalto one another. Continuing with this embodiment, when a measuredphysical impact is above a predetermined level, an object or individualassociated with electronic tracking device 100 may have suffered a fallor be in need of medical attention. In one variant of this embodiment, auser (e.g., a system administrator, or person located in a contact book)at monitoring station 110 becomes alerted, e.g., by text message, email,or voice mail (as more fully described in previously incorporated byreference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/935,901 filed on Nov. 6,2007, entitled “System and Method for Creating and Managing aPersonalized Web Interface for Monitoring Location Information onIndividuals and Objects Using Tracking Devices”). In one variant of thisembodiment, if a user does not affirmatively respond, anotherindividual, guardian, medical personnel, or law enforcement officer iscontacted by monitoring station 110 (as more fully described in Ser. No.11/935,901). In yet another variant of this embodiment, monitoringstation 110 continues to contact individuals until the alert message isaffirmatively answered.

Battery Conservation

Referring to FIG. 3, a flow chart 300 illustrates battery conservationfor electronic tracking device 100 as described in FIGS. 1, 2 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In step 302,antenna 122 a associated with electronic tracking device 100 acquires asnapshot of receive communication signal including location coordinatesdata. In step 304, processing unit 104 processes the snapshot of receivecommunication signal including location coordinates data. In step 306,processing unit 104 determines a power level of receive communicationsignal. In step 308, accelerometer 130 activates if a power level of thereceive communication signal is insufficient for processing. In onevariant of step 308, accelerometer 130 measures acceleration ofelectronic tracking device 100 at time intervals, e.g., T1, T2, T3 . . .TN.

In step 310, processing unit 104 computes current location coordinatesusing acceleration measurements. In step 312, all or a portion ofamplifier block 120 and associated circuitry, e.g., location trackingcircuitry, are activated at selected time intervals to determine ifreceive communication signal is of sufficient signal strength. In onevariation of step 312, upon determining receive communication signal ofsufficient signal strength, location tracking circuitry 114 areactivated, and processing unit 104 determines location coordinates fromthe receive communication signal. In another variation of step 312, upondetermining receive communication signal of sufficient signal strength,accelerometer 130 is deactivated and location tracking circuitry 114 areactivated, and processing unit 104 determines location coordinates fromthe receive communication signal.

User Adjustable Location Coordinate Refresh Rate

Referring to FIG. 4, screen display 400 illustrates a user definableadjustable location coordinate refresh rate in one embodiment of thepresent invention. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, schematic 500illustrates communication of location coordinate refresh rate betweenportable electronic tracking device 402 and satellite navigation system403 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment, portable electronic tracking device 402 monitorslocation coordinates of one or more individuals and objects usingsatellite navigation system 403. Portable electronic tracking device 402includes battery 118 having battery charge level 406 displayed on screendisplay 400 of personal communication device 404 (e.g., mobile phone,wireless digital assistant, laptop computer, personal computer and thelike). Other components of portable electronic tracking device 402include transceiver 102, signal processing circuitry 104, battery levelmonitor 116, signal processing circuitry 104, location trackingcircuitry 114, adj 416, and battery charging circuitry 128.

In one example, battery level monitor 116 measures in real-time batterycharge level 406. In one embodiment, battery level monitor 116 predicts,for instance, estimated remaining battery charge life 414 in response tobattery charge level 406. This estimation or prediction may be based onstandard techniques know by those skilled in the art at the time of thisdisclosure including measurement of time average amperage draw andvoltage level (over a given period) to estimate remaining battery chargelife 414.

In one embodiment, local battery power adjustment mechanism 416generates in substantially real-time updated set of networkcommunication signaling protocols. In one variant, updated set ofnetwork communication signaling protocols communicated, for instance,includes an update rate (e.g., refresh rate) of location coordinatepackets 446. In one example, update rate of location coordinate packets446 includes request rate 420 of location coordinate packets 422 bytarget host 452 (e.g., a computer server) and/or listen rate 425 oflocation coordinate packets 422 by portable electronic tracking device402. Updated set of network communication signaling protocols, forinstance, has value (e.g., X Y Z) responsive to user input request 430.

In one embodiment, to conserve battery power when communicating messagesbetween target host 452 and portable electronic tracking device 402,local battery power adjustment mechanism 416, for instance, remotely bypersonal communication device 404 communicates a message to active ordeactivate a portion of transceiver circuitry 102 or processor circuitry104 or location tracking circuitry 114 to conserve battery charge level406 responsive to value 419 (e.g., a user input screen control or mouseadjustable cursor value). In one variant, local battery adjustmentmechanism 416 includes user adjustable screen icon 432 to graphicallydisplay in substantially real-time trade-off relationships betweenremaining battery charge level 414 and update rate 446 (e.g., refreshrate) of location coordinate packets 422. Advantageously as compared toconventional tracking devices, user input request 430 adjusts value 419to select an appropriate update set of network communication signalingprotocols to achieve a desired user defined battery operatingenvironment, e.g., obtain optimal battery life, obtain optimal updaterate, tradeoffs between them. In one embodiment, when user adjustsslider 432 to value 419, a message is sent to target host 452, whichcommunicates an updated set of network communication to portablelocation tracking device 402.

In response to receipt of updated set of network communication signalingprotocols, portable location tracking device 402 adjusts settings (aninternal time schedule) and acknowledges receipt of the message totarget host 452. Portable location tracking device 402 checks internaltime schedule to determine if it should listen for (perform a locationlookup of) location coordinates 422 from satellite navigation system 403or an adjacent portable location coordinate tracking device (as shown inFIG. 6) as more fully described in, for instance, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/753,979 filed on May 25, 2007, which has beenpreviously incorporated by referenced and claimed priority to. Portablelocation tracking device 402 obtains location coordinates 422 andstores, for instance, in one or more internal breadcrumb memorylocation(s). Based on the internal time schedule, portable locationtracking device 402 determines whether to transmit contents of the oneor more breadcrumb memory location(s) to target host 452.

Upon transmission of contents, target host 452 acknowledges receipt ofcontents of one or more breadcrumb memory locations. In one variant,target host 452 issues a command to flush one or more breadcrumb memorylocations. In this same variant, portable electronic tracking device 402flushes its internal breadcrumb memory and acknowledges completion ofthe command to the target host 452. In another variant, target host 452issues a stack pointer adjustment command to acknowledge receipt ofpreviously submitted contents of breadcrumb memory locations and to movestack pointer to an adjacent or an alternative breadcrumb memorylocation to signal that these memory location have been uploaded bytarget host 452.

In another embodiment, local battery adjustment mechanism 416 includestiming adjustment mechanism 446 adjusting, for instance, request rate420 of location coordinate packets 422 to target host 452 and listenrate 425 of location coordinates 422 in accordance with a currentlocation coordinate position of portable tracking device 402. In onevariant, local battery adjustment mechanism 416 includes user adjustableelectronic display 432 that indicates current level of battery 406 andallows user a capability to adjust power level thereof. In one variantof this embodiment, local battery adjustment mechanism 416 includesautomatic or semi-automatic sleep mode 448. In one embodiment, automaticor semi-automatic sleep mode 448 sets to a minimal level request rate420 of location coordinate packets 422 to target host 452 and listenrate 425 of location coordinates 422 until battery power monitor 116measures, for instance, a sustainable battery charge level to sustainoperation of portable electronic tracking device 402.

In one embodiment, local battery adjustment mechanism 416 includescharge control management (e.g., adj 416) of portable electronictracking device 402 that estimates charge capability (e.g., batterycharge remaining 414) and adjusts cycling of one or more of request rate420 of location coordinate packets 422 to target host 452 and listenrate 425 of location coordinate packets 422 to maximize chargecapability. In one alternative embodiment, local battery adjustmentmechanism (e.g., adj 416) includes cycle management apparatus 416 to setup, for example, timing schedule (e.g., refresh rate 446) to maximizeeffectiveness of request rate 420 and listen rate 425 in response tosubstantially real-time measured velocity of travel of portableelectronic tracking device 402.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, system 500 and system 600 respectivelyinclude local charging management device (e.g. local battery adjustmentmechanism 416) manages electrical resource capability for an electronictracking device 402 that is tracked by at least one other trackingdevice (e.g., devices 403, 405, 407, 409). In one embodiment, trackingdevice (e.g., portable electronic tracking device 402) includes abattery level monitor 116 remotely located for charging unit (e.g.,battery charging circuitry 128), adj 416 (e.g., electrical powerresource management component, local battery adjustment mechanism 416).In one variant, electrical power resource management component adjustscycle timing of request rate 420 of location coordinate packets 422 totarget host 452 and listen rate 425 of location coordinate packets 422from satellite navigation system 403 responsive to estimated chargelevel of charging unit (e.g., battery charge level 406).

In one embodiment, electrical power resource management component (e.g.,local battery adjustment mechanism 416) includes a substantiallyreal-time user viewable display icon 432 that indicates estimate chargelevel (e.g., battery level 406) and provides an on-line user adjustablecursor display 432 (see FIG. 4). In one example, on-line cursor display432 adjusts one or more of: request rate 420 of location coordinatepackets 422 to target host 452 and listen rate 425 and givessubstantially automatic updated estimated charge level of the chargingunit (e.g., battery charging circuitry or unit 128). In one variant,local battery management device 416 includes charge control managementof electronic tracking device 402 that estimates charge capability andadjust cycling of request rate 420 of location coordinate packets 422 tohost target 428 and listen rate 425 of location coordinate packets 422from satellite navigation system 403 or alternatively an adjacentportable location tracking device to maximize charge capability.

In yet another embodiment, local charging management device 416 includescycle management apparatus to set up timing schedule 446 to maximizeeffectiveness of request rate 420 and listen rate 425 in response tomeasured velocity of travel portable electronic tracking device 402. Inone variant, local charging management device 416 electrically coupledthrough personal communication device 404 sets up timing schedule 446between one or more than one wireless communication networks tocommunicate information between portable electronic tracking device 402.In one example of this embodiment, listen rate 425 of locationcoordinate packets 422 to the host target 428 and response rate 425includes global positioning system (GPS) system refresh rate 446.

Advantageously as compared to prior global positioning systems havingmanufactured defined power settings, the current invention powercharging monitor (e.g., battery level monitor 116) measures a powerlevel (e.g., battery power level 406) of the power charging unit (e.g.,battery level monitor 116) and substantially automatically adjusts powerusage responsive to available power of power charging unit to maximizepower life.

In yet another advantage, the present invention power charging monitor(e.g., battery level monitor 116) measures a power level (e.g., batterypower level 406) of power charging unit (e.g., battery 118) and adjustsa power level (e.g., battery power level 406) applied to, for example,location tracking circuitry (e.g., location tracking circuitry 114) ortransceiver 102 responsive to one or more signal levels. In contrast toprevious manufacturer tracking device power level settings, the presentinvention has the capability of power level (e.g., battery power level406) adjustments include multitude of threshold values (see activedisplay 432 of FIG. 4) that is determined by user or systemadministrator to intermittently activate or deactivate location trackingcircuitry (e.g., location tracking circuitry 114) to conserve power ofthe power charging unit (e.g., battery 118) responsive to estimatedcharge level (e.g., battery charge level 406).

In a first example, a lost dog has portable location tracking device402. Using the present invention, a user, e.g., a dog owner, will adjusta slider level, such as using on-line cursor display 432, to a highupdate rate interval. For instance, the high setting corresponds to 15minute intervals for location and 15 minute intervals for transmissionto target host, e.g., server. The server sends these settings toportable location tracking device 402 and portable location trackingdevice 402 adjusts its settings and acknowledges the message. As such,portable location tracking device 402 will perform frequent updates ofits location coordinates from a satellite navigation system and willtransmit frequently its location coordinates to a target host. Thus,advantageously, with this setting, a user will probably more rapidlylocate a missing or lost pet. With this setting, battery life will berelatively short.

In a second example, a teenager borrows a parent's car having portablelocation tracking device 402. Using the present invention, users, e.g.,parents, desire to know if their teenager is driving safely indesignated areas or locations, but does not want to track the teenager'slocation in real-time. In this case, the parents adjust a slider level,such as using on-line cursor display 432, to a medium update rateinterval. For instance, the medium setting corresponds to 15 minuteintervals for location and 60 minute intervals for transmission to thetarget host, e.g., server. The server sends these settings to portablelocation tracking device 402 and portable location tracking device 402adjusts its settings and acknowledges the message. As such, portablelocation tracking device 402 will perform frequent updates of itsvelocity and location coordinates from a satellite navigation system andwill less frequently transmit its location coordinates to a target host.As long as the teenager remains in allowed areas and traveling atallowed speeds, the portable location tracking device will not transmitfrequently. Fortunately, during these infrequent transmissions, portablelocation tracking device will transmit its location history. Thus,advantageously, with this setting, parents can see history at manylocations while still preserving battery life, e.g., longer life thanfirst example.

In a third example, a provider of construction equipment having portabletracking device 402 rents the equipment to contractors. Using thepresent invention, a user, e.g., provider desires to know location ofthe equipment once per day. In this case, the provider adjusts a sliderlevel, such as using on-line cursor display 432, to a low update rateinterval. For instance, the low setting corresponds to 1440 minuteintervals (24 hours) for location coordinates and 1440 minute intervals(24 hours) for transmission to the target host, e.g., server. The serversends these settings to portable location tracking device 402 andportable location tracking device 402 adjusts its settings andacknowledges the message. As such, portable location tracking device 402will perform infrequent updates (once per day) of location coordinatesfrom a satellite navigation system and will less frequently transmission(once per day) of its location coordinates to a target host. Thus,advantageously, with this setting, portable location coordinate devicewill realize increased battery life, e.g., longer life than first andsecond examples.

User Adjustable Power Level Monitor Flow Chart

Referring to FIG. 7, flow chart 700 illustrates user definableadjustable conservation power level monitor for portable electronictracking device 402 as described in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

In step 702, user receives measured charging unit power level oftracking device 402 communicated by a location coordinate trackingsystem 403. In step 704, system administrator, user, automatic orsemi-automatic program software adjusts charging unit power level oftracking device 402 in response to a substantially-real life estimate ofthe unit power level 406 of a charge unit 118 of tracking device 402.

In step 706, system administrator, user, automatic or semi-automaticpower monitoring software program creates an initial timing schedule 446including communication of signaling parameters associated with arequest rate 420 communicated with location coordinate information 422and listen rate 425 of location coordinate information 422. In onevariant of step 706, initial timing schedule 446 was at least partiallyautomatically and responsive to an estimated power level 414 of thecharge unit 118.

In step 708, user readjusts the initial timing schedule 446 forcommunication of signaling parameters in accordance with a local requestby remote user using an Internet accessible icon 432 that displays userviewable tradeoffs between the estimated charge unit life and chargeunit update rate. In one variant of step 708, remote user uses a mouseto enter an on screen cursor value 419 that is associated with atradeoff of estimated charge life 414 and an update rate 446 of locationcoordinate information 422.

Position Fix is Updated in Accordance with Subscriber Service UsageApplication

Referring to FIGS. 8-11, location tracking server 902 tracks mobilelocation tracking device 901. Location tracking server 902 communicateslocation coordinate information to subscriber 904. In one embodiment,GPS acquisition device 906 generates a position fix 910 (e.g., locationcoordinate information) of mobile location tracking device 901. In oneembodiment, GPS acquisition device 906 acquires GPS data over a fewmilliseconds. Using GPS data, CPU 918, e.g., GSM baseband processor,utilizes, for instance, SPOT a-GPS solution algorithms calculatesimproved accuracy position fix results. GPRS/GSM transceiver device 908(having one or both GPRS and GSM capability) reports position fix tolocation tracking server 902. NXP GSM/GPRS & GSS power managementsoftware installed on the mobile location tracking device 901 assistsmaintaining efficient power consumption.

As best illustrated in FIG. 10, memory device, e.g., flash memory device912, stores zone management map 917 having selected location coordinatezones stored in flash memory device 912 to indicate restricted locationzones 914 and allowable location zones 916. The restricted zones 914 andallowable zones 916, for example, are chosen by subscriber 904. In oneembodiment, computational processor, e.g., CPU 918, includes internalclock 920. In one variant of this embodiment, internal clock 920substantially activates and deactivates functionality of computationalprocessor 918 independently of any signaling from an external device,e.g., location tracking server 902. In one exemplary embodiment,GPRS/GSM transceiver device 908 and computational processor 918comprises an activated mode and a deactivated mode in accordance withsubscriber service usage profile 907 (subscriber service usage pattern).

In one variant, internal clock 920 activates and deactivates one or moremodules, e.g., GPS acquisition device 906 and GPRS and/or GSMtransceiver device 908 changes in accordance with subscriber serviceusage application, e.g., a software application including subscriberservice usage profile 907. Subscriber service user profile 907 includessubscriber desired and/or previous frequency of receipt of fix reports.In one embodiment, subscriber service usage application includes asoftware application, e.g., that is loaded into flash memory 912,utilizing usage parameters extracted or stored or acquired fromsubscriber service usage profile 907 to update position fix of mobiletracking device 901.

As best illustrated in FIG. 10, an exemplary subscriber service usageprofile displays typical usage and location coordinate requests andbattery charge associated therewith. In one embodiment, initialsubscriber service usage profile 907 may be high when first purchasemobile location tracking device 901, e.g., reporting every 5 minutes tolocation tracking server 902 which equates to battery charge period of Xhours. However, upon subscriber service usage profile 907 becoming lessintensive, lower frequency of fix reporting interval, e.g., reportingevery 60 minutes to location tracking server 902 which equate to batterycharge period of 2.5X hours (as compared to original X hours). Thus,using principles of the present invention, battery charge period (e.g.,battery 118) of mobile tracking device 901 including frequency ofposition fix acquisition and frequency of position fix reporting may beindividually tailored and responsive to one or more usage profiles,e.g., subscriber service usage profile 907 or combined or modified withthose displayed in FIG. 11 to customize power usage. In comparison, manyconventional tracking devices acquire position fix, for instance, havingstandard or regularly spaced intervals or periods which don't modifybased on subscriber service usage requests (and that may change as shownabove) sacrifice unnecessarily battery power.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, subscriber service usage profile 907 may becompared or modified and partially responsive to current historical(e.g. legacy) power optimized usage plans (e.g., plans including Pet 1,2, 3 . . . ; Rental Car 1, 2, 3 . . . ; and Alzheimer's and SeniorPatients 1, 2, 3 . . . . The power optimized plans are part of alocation coordinate service library (e.g., resident on flash memorydevice 912, stored in location tracking server 902, or other similarlocation) and categorized in accordance with usage characteristics ofsubscriber 904 as well as tracked pet, tracked person, or tracked objectcarrying mobile tracking device 901.

Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, if a trackedpet is a cat and the cat is indoors daily during the hours of 7 PM until7 AM, then subscriber service usage profile 907 is modified to plan 1 oflocation coordinate service library associated with indoor cats).Internal clock 920 utilizes plan 1 to provide instructions to shut downand/or automatically restart GPS acquisition device 906 and GPRS and/orGSM transceiver device 908 of portable tracking device 902 to conservepower of battery 118 and maintain a plan prescribed level of service.

In yet another embodiment, if tracked person is an Alzheimer's patientand the patient is in physical therapy is weekly during the hours of10:00 AM through 12:00 PM weekly on alternative Tuesday and Thursdays,daily sleeping during the hours of 7 PM to 7 AM, and under familysupervision on Saturdays, then subscriber service usage profile 907 ismodified. In this exemplary embodiment, plan 2 of location coordinateservice library is implemented that is associated with Alzheimer's andSenior Patients having morning physical therapy on Tuesdays andThursdays and off on weekends. Internal clock 920 utilizes plan 2 toschedule shut down and substantially automatic restart of GPSacquisition device 906 and GPRS and/or GSM transceiver device 908 ofportable tracking device 902 in accordance with plan to conserve powerof battery 118 but also to maintain a plan prescribed level of service.

In yet another embodiment, if tracked object is a rental automobile,then when the rental automobile is located on the lot in a securelocation or in a repair garage during scheduled periods, then subscriberservice usage profile 907 is modified to utilize plan 3 of locationcoordinate service library associated with garaged rental cars. Inaccordance with plan 3, internal clock 920 provides instructions to shutdown GPS acquisition device 906 and GPRS and/or GSM transceiver device908 of portable tracking device 902 and restart substantiallyautomatically to conserve power of battery 118 but also maintain a planprescribed level of service.

Referring to Table 1, different service plans of location servicecoordinate library are illustrated for a tracked pet that is a dog. Inthis exemplary embodiment, subscriber service usage profile 907 utilizesone or more battery power optimized usage plans. The below battery poweroptimized usage plans including profile names, for example, Dog-In-Yard,Dog-On-Leash, and Dog-Loose, stored or loaded in flash memory device 912of portable tracking device 901 optimized for a selected coverage zone(Expected Zone).

TABLE 1 Service Plans of Location Service Coordinate Library ProfileLocate Max Transmit Expected Next Name Interval Speed Interval ZoneProfile Dog-In- 20 Minutes 4 MPH  4 hours Home Dog-On- Yard Yard LeashDog-On- 10 Minutes 4 MPH 60 Minutes Neighbor- Dog- Leash hood Loose Dog- 2 Minutes 7 MPH  2 Minutes Loose

Continuing with this example, in the Expected Zone Home Yard, subscriber904 is provided fix location of portable tracking device 901 every 20minutes and a transmit interval of position fix to server 902 every four(4) hours. In one variant, internal clock 920 shuts down GPS acquisitiondevice 906 and GPRS and/or GSM transceiver device 908 (e.g., inaccordance with a plan that is part of location coordinate servicelibrary) of portable tracking device 901 in between performance of fixlocation and transmit intervals to conserve power of battery 118. Usingthis option, a dog's owner (subscriber 904) monitors and detects whendog having portable tracking device 901 leaves the yard in 20 minuteintervals in response to internal clock 920 activating or deactivatingGPS acquisition device 906 and GSM and/or GSM transceiver device 908.

However, if subscriber 904 (owner) takes dog for a walk, portabletracking device 901 detects egress from Expected Zone Home Yard. On anext or subsequent cycle (as addressed by location service coordinatelibrary) of internal clock 920, portable tracking device 901substantially automatically configures itself for profile Dog-On-Leashwith expected Neighborhood zone, where dog has a maximum speed of 4 MPH.Advantageously, subscriber service usage profile 907 is updated withoutthe need to contact server 902; thus, substantial battery life ismaintained. Furthermore, if dog leaves Expected Zone Neighborhood orexceeds 4 MPH, then on next cycle or subsequent cycle (as addressed bylocation service coordinate library) of internal clock 920, portabletracking device 901 substantially automatically reconfigures itself forthe “Dog-Loose” profile, which profile detects a location of and reportslocation to server 902 every two (2) minutes.

In one embodiment, to accomplish automatic or substantially automaticreconfiguration capabilities, portable tracking device 902 includesexemplary programming elements such as: Command Memory, Command Scripts,Schedules, Zones, and Thresholds.

Command Memory

Portable tracking device 901 stores frequently utilized commands e.g.,255, in Command Memory. In one embodiment, Command Memory includes flashmemory device 912, where a single byte memory location referencesfrequency utilized commands. Server 902 communicates a “Run Command FromMemory” statement to flash memory device 912 and references thesingle-byte memory location stored in flash memory device 912. Flashmemory device 912 executes command as if statement was freshly receivedfrom Server 902. Frequently used commands, for instance, as determinedby server 902, will be stored in the Command Memory and utilized, forexample, by Command Scripts.

Command Scripts

Command scripts are lists of commands that are run in a script. TheCommand script ID identifies a particular script, which is a 32-elementlist of commands from command memory. For example, if command script 05contained the following data (only the first 16 elements are shown):

05 01 02 05 06 1B 09 0A 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00In this exemplary embodiment, the script runs seven commands fromCommand Memory (01, 02, 05, 06, 1B, 09, and 0A). Note that these are notcommands from server 902; they are commands stored in memory (e.g.,flash memory device 912) via previous message from server 902. In oneembodiment, the special case of “00” causes no command to be run.Advantageously, command script resident on flash memory device 912perform any or all of the following (singlet or collectively) of thefollowing: Enable/disable zones, Enable/disable thresholds,Enable/disable schedules, Send a message to Server, and perform otherlike commands.

In one exemplary embodiment, enable/disable thresholds include enablingor disabling one or more settings, e.g., timer settings. For instance,when a tracked object enters a restricted zone 914, a counting sequenceis initiated. If tracked object is within restricted zone 914 for morethan a designated period, internal clock 920 (on next cycle orsubsequent cycle as determined by subscriber service usage profile 907)issues a command to automatically update profile, e.g., increase takingposition fix and sending report to server 902.

Schedule

Within portable tracking device 901, scheduling system provides CommandScripts to be scheduled for later or repeated at specific intervals.Scheduling allows command and control system of server 902 to loadportable tracking device 901 with zones of coverage (Enable/disablezones, allowed zones, restricted zones . . . ) and thresholds(Enable/disable thresholds). Advantageously, even if zone changes as aresult of changing detected location of portable tracking device 902during the day, no messaging is required to server 902. Advantageouslyin contrast to conventional GPS systems, scheduled commands areinterpreted by portable tracking device 901 as if they were received byserver 902 (including the header).

As illustrated in Table 2, scheduled commands may be formatted to ignorethe Message ID and CRC checking In yet another variant, schedulingsystem does not include commands that affect any CRCs.

TABLE 2 Schedule Command Format Element Data Type Description Schedule 1byte The ID of the schedule element ID Status 1 byte 0 = this zone isnot active; 1 = this zone is active (this value is not used for CRCcalculations) Schedule 1 Byte Bitmap to indicate when this commandshould be Mask processed: 1 = Saturday 2 = Friday 4 = Thursday 8 =Wednesday 16 = Tuesday 32 = Monday 64 = Sunday 128 = Automaticallydelete this schedule at the end of the week (this schedule runs onlyonce) If all bits are set to 0, this schedule is considered disabled.Time On Integer The second-of-the-day when this schedule should activateduring the day Time Off Integer The second-of-the-day when this scheduleshould deactivate during the day Repeat Integer The interval in secondsfor this command to be Duration repeated throughout the time-on andtime-off window. Command 1 byte The script ID to run at the scheduledtime ScriptZones

In one embodiment, zones of coverage (e.g., restricted, allowed) aredefined by circles having a center point and a radius. Circular zoneshave seven elements including those illustrated in Table 3:

TABLE 3 Zone Elements Element Data Type Description Zone ID 1 byte TheID of the zone Status 1 byte 0 = this zone is not active; 1 = this zoneis active (this value is not used for CRC calculations) Latitude DoubleThe Latitude of the center point Longitude Double The Longitude of thecenter point Radius Double The radius of the circle Ingress 1 byte Thescript ID to run if the zone is entered Script Egress 1 byte The scriptID to run if the zone is exited Script

In one embodiment, when determining position fix, portable trackingdevice 901 iterates through active zones (restricted, allowed . . . thatare part of zone management map) in memory, e.g., flash memory 912, todetermine if boundaries have been crossed to any zones. Upon detectingcrossing of one or more zones, portable tracking device 901 checksIngress and Egress script(s) for corresponding coverage zone (restrictedand allowed) and runs the specified command script. Upon detection ofIngress or Egress, portable tracking device 901 sends an alert to server902.

In one exemplary embodiment, portable tracking device 901 determinespositioning and whether located inside a zone. During processing, one ormore calculations are performed including portable tracking device 901determining distance from center point of one or more zones of coverage.If delta distance, e.g. distance between restricted and allowed zone, isless than or equal to the radius, portable tracking device 901 considersitself inside a selected zone. However, if delta distance is greaterthan the radius, portable tracking device 901 is considered outside aselected zone.

Continuing with this exemplary embodiment, delta distance is calculatedusing a spherical model of the Earth with the WGS-84 arithmetic meanradius, which is 6,371,008.7714 meters. In one embodiment, thecalculation includes law of cosines that calculates great-circledistance between two GPS coordinates in accordance with the followingequation:

var  radius = 6,371,008.7714 ;var  distance = radius * acos(cos (point 1.Latitude * π/180) * cos (point 2.Latitude * π/180) * cos ((point 1.Longtitude − point 2.Longitude) * π/180) + sin (point 1.Latitude * π/180) * sin (point 2.Latitude * π/180))Thresholds

Portable tracking device 901 monitors operating variables to make surewithin threshold values. In one embodiment, if any operating values falloutside a designated acceptable range, portable tracking device 901 runsa command script. One or more thresholds may be placed upon anyoperating variable. Comparisons can be numeric or based upon ASCIIvalues (alphabetic in ASCII order). In one variant, more than onethreshold can be set upon the same variable. Thresholds are usuallyactivated or deactivated during a scheduled command. For instance,thresholds may take on a Boolean statement in the form ([operatingvariable] [comparison] [value])

An exemplary script runs when an operating variable called battery_level(expressed as a value between 0 and 255) falls below 51 (about 20%) is

(battery_level<51)

If battery_level is below 51, the above expression is TRUE.

In one example, thresholds are an expression that evaluates as to avalue of either TRUE or FALSE. Whenever one or more operatingvariable(s) are updated in memory, e.g., flash memory 912, portabletracking device 901 calculates any value of one or more thresholdsassociated with that variable. If the result of the calculation waspreviously TRUE and is now FALSE, the “false script” is run. If theresult of the calculation was previously FALSE and is now TRUE, the“true script” is run.

In one embodiment, threshold include the elements described below:

Element Data Size Description Threshold ID 1 byte The ID of theThreshold Operating 1 byte The ID of the Operating Variable beingVariable ID monitored False Script 1 byte The script ID to run if thisevaluation changes to FALSE True Script 1 byte The script ID to run ifthis evaluation changes to TRUE Status 1 bit 0 = Off. This Threshold isoff 1 = On. This Threshold is on Inequality 7 bits The type ofinequality for the comparison. 1 = the variable must be equal to thisvalue (i.e. ‘==’) 2 = the variable must be less than this value (i.e.‘<’) 3 = the variable must be greater than this value (i.e. ‘>’) 4 = thevariable must be less than or equal to this value (i.e. ‘<=’) 5 = thevariable must be greater than or equal to this value (i.e. ‘>=’) 6 = thevariable must be not equal to this value (i.e. ‘<>’ or ‘!=’) Value 16bytes The value for the comparison.

Advantageously, as compared with conventional mobile tracking devicesthat activate and deactivate in response to signaling from locationtracking server 912, which depletes battery life, the presentembodiment(s) have internal clock 920 that activates and deactivatessubstantially independently of any signaling, for instance, by or fromGSM and/or GPRS transceiver device 908 and GPS mobile location trackingmodule 906.

In one embodiment, “on-demand” internal clock 920 activates ordeactivates GPRS and/or GSM transceiver device 908 and computationprocessor 918 in accordance with position fix relative to, for instance,subscriber service usage profile 907 in accordance with current positionfix of mobile location tracking device 901 relative to the selectedlocation coordinate zones (e.g., restricted areas or zones 914 orallowed areas or zones 916) on zone management map 917. In one variant,subscriber service usage profile 907 comprises a prior or scheduleddaily or monthly profile of subscriber 904 designated reporting intervalfor mobile location tracking device 901.

In yet another embodiment, scriber service usage application (stored inFlash Memory 912) may be controlled by an external clock 931 (havingsimilar functionality as internal clock 920) to computational processor918 to regulate and control (either in a primary or secondary capacityto supplement or replace internal clock 920) activation and deactivationof modules (e.g., GSM and/or GPRS transceiver modules and/or GPSacquisition module) on the mobile location tracking device 901.

In another variant, GPRS transmission device 908 includes a deactivatedmode where GPRS transmission device 908 switches-off (switched-off mode)and is not in service contact with subscriber 904. In one variant, ShortMessage Service (SMS) messages sent during switched-off mode arereceived by the GPRS transmission device during an upcoming switched-onmode. In another embodiment, GSM transmission device 908 reportsposition fix to the subscriber and deactivates the GSM transmissiondevice 908, e.g., places GSM transmission device 908 in a deactivatedmode, in accordance with the subscriber service usage pattern. Inanother variant, GPRS transmission device 908 includes a deactivatedmode where GPRS transmission device 908 is in switched-off mode and notin service contact with subscriber and location tracking server 902.

In one alternative of this variant, GPRS transmission device 908receives SMS messages sent during switched-off mode during an upcomingswitched-on mode. In one embodiment, GPS acquisition device 908comprises a deactivated mode and internal clock 920 activates anddeactivates GPS acquisition device 906 independently of signaling fromlocation tracking server 902 in accordance with subscriber service usageprofile 907. In one embodiment, subscriber 904 configures mobilelocation tracking device 900 by sending an SMS message or sending textthrough an Internet web interface inputs.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, upon activation by internal clock920, GPS acquisition device 906 receives current position fix, frequencyto report the current position fix to subscriber is updated inaccordance with current position fix, and GPS acquisition device 908returns to a deactivated mode. In another embodiment, an accelerometerand motion readings by accelerometer (e.g., accelerometer 130 shown anddescribed in prior embodiment) are analyzed in accordance withsubscriber service usage profile 907 to determine if current positionfix has entered one or more selected locations of zone management map917 or violated one or more thresholds.

In summary, a power management device disclosed above determines updaterate and reporting of a position fix of a mobile location trackingdevice to a location tracking server. In one embodiment, anaccelerometer is provided to allow motions of mobile location trackingdevice 901 to determine position fix update rate and reporting thereofto location tracking server 902. Included as part of power managementdevice, a computational processor 918 having internal clock 920. Inaccordance with a subscriber service usage profile 907, internal clock920 activates and deactivates location tracking coordinate transmissionand acquisition GSM and/or GPRS transceiver module 908 and GPS module906 of mobile location tracking device 901 substantially independentlyof communicated signals by location tracking server 902.

In one variant, internal clock 920 incorporates mobile location trackingdevice 901 motion inputs from accelerometer 130 to determine whether toactivate and deactivate transmission and acquisition GSM and/or GPRStransceiver modules of location tracking device 901. In one alternativeof this variant, upon activation by internal clock 920, accelerometer113 generates motion inputs that are inputted to update subscriberservice usage profile 907 stored (e.g., resident) on flash memory 912 toupdate a previous position fix to a current position fix for mobilelocation tracking device 901. In yet another alternative variant,current position fix updates reporting frequency of position fix ofmobile location tracking device 901 to location tracking server 902.

In another alternative embodiment, upon activation by internal clock920, GPS acquisition module 906 receives current position fix, updatesreporting frequency of the position fix of the mobile location trackingdevice 901 is updated in accordance with the current position fix atleast partially in accordance with subscriber service usage profile 907stored in flash memory device 912, and the GPS acquisition device 906returns to the deactivated mode.

In yet another embodiment, subscriber service usage profile 907 updatesin accordance with an SMS message communicated between a mobile cellulardevice 937 or location tracking server 902 and mobile location trackingdevice 901. The subscriber service usage profile 907 comprises a zonemanagement map 915 of selected location coordinates and updates inaccordance with, for instance, an SMS message communicated betweenmobile cellular device 927 or location tracking server 902 and mobilelocation tracking device 901. In addition, subscriber service usageprofile 907 includes previous and current subscriber usage patterns thatare utilized for location tracking coordinate management and updatingthereof.

Referring to FIG. 12, flow chart 1100 illustrates power conservationprocess when updating position fix of a portable location trackingdevice 901 being tracked and reported to a location tracking server 908,as described in more detail in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. In step 1102, a powerconservation process updates position fix of a mobile location trackingdevice 901 in accordance with generation of a current position fix byGPS acquisition device 906. In step 1104, current position fix iscompared relative to a zone management map 917 of designated allowed 916and restricted 914 location coordinate zones stored in a flash memorydevice 912 as part of subscriber usage service profile 907 associatedwith the mobile location tracking device 900. In step 1106, currentposition fix is reported by GPRS and/or GSM transceiver device tolocation tracking server 902.

In step 1108, GPS acquisition device, GPRS and/or GSM transceiver device908, and computational processor (CPU) 918 are activated or deactivatedin accordance with subscriber service usage profile 907 and currentposition fix relative to zone management map 917 of designated allowed916 and restricted 914 location coordinate zones. In step 1110, internalclock 920 activates or deactivates substantially independent ofcommunicated signals from location tracking server 902 to GPSacquisition device 906, the GPRS and GSM transceiver device inaccordance with the subscriber usage service profile 907 in response toa delta distance (e.g., differential distance) between a position fix ofthe mobile location tracking device relative to one or more designatedallowed location coordinate zones 916 and restricted location coordinatezones 914 or violated a threshold conditions, such as entering aboundary or contour or zone violation for a specified period or time.

In one variant of step 1100, deactivating the GPRS and/or GSMtransceiver device comprises switching-off the GPRS and/or GSMtransceiver device and not providing service contact with subscriber 904and to receive SMS messages sent to mobile tracking device 901 duringthe switched-off mode during an upcoming switched-on mode. In anothervariant of step 1100, analysis of motion readings from accelerometer 130by computational processor 918 determines if the current position fixhas entered one or more designed allowed location coordinate zones 916or restricted location coordinate zones 914 and causing a zone violationof one or more of these zones.

In step 1112, mobile location tracking device 901 actives GPSacquisition device 906 by internal clock 920, acquires current positionfix by GPS acquisition device 906; and updates reporting frequency ofcurrent position fix to subscriber 904 in accordance with currentposition fix, and returns GPS acquisition device 906 to deactivated modeuntil activated by internal clock 920.

In one variant of step 1112, a timer is started when mobile locationtracking device 901 has passed a threshold into a restricted locationcoordinate zone; readings of the timer are analyzed to determine howlong the mobile location tracking device has entered the restrictedlocation coordinate zone; subscriber usage service application 907 isupdated with a profile associated with Expected Zone responsive to entryinto the restricted location coordinate zone that is part of locationcoordinate service library and previously communicated by the locationtracking server 902 during an SMS transmission; the GPS acquisitiondevice 908 acquires an updated current position fix in response toselection of the profile associated with the Expected Zone to accountfor GPS satellite displacement (drift) during measurement; reportingfrequency communicated including the updated current position fix inresponse to selection of the profile associated with the Expected Zoneto account for the GPS satellite displacement during measurement; andthe GPS acquisition device returned to deactivated mode in accordancewith the profile associated with the Expected Zone until activated byinternal clock 920.

It is noted that many variations of the methods described above may beutilized consistently with the present invention. Specifically, certainsteps are optional and may be performed or deleted as desired.Similarly, other steps (such as additional data sampling, processing,filtration, calibration, or mathematical analysis for example) may beadded to the foregoing embodiments. Additionally, the order ofperformance of certain steps may be permuted, or performed in parallel(or series) if desired. Hence, the foregoing embodiments are merelyillustrative of the broader methods of the invention disclosed herein.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The foregoing description is of the best mode presentlycontemplated of carrying out the invention. This description is in noway meant to be limiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative ofthe general principles of the invention. The scope of the inventionshould be determined with reference to the claims.

The following is claimed:
 1. A method to provide location informationvia a user interface, the method comprising: providing, by a locationmanagement computing device, user access to a location managementdashboard in response to detection of a successful user logon, thelocation management dashboard comprising a graphical mapping interfaceconfigured to display locations for a plurality of tracking devices,wherein at least one tracking device from the plurality of trackingdevices is associated with the user and at least one other trackingdevice from the plurality of tracking devices is associated with avehicle; providing, by the location management computing device, arequest signal to obtain location coordinates of the at least one othertracking device associated with the vehicle; receiving, by the locationmanagement computing device, a first reply signal from the at least oneother tracking device associated with the vehicle that comprises a firstidentification code; displaying, by the location management computingdevice, the location coordinates of the least one tracking deviceassociated with the user and the at least one other tracking deviceassociated with the vehicle via the graphical mapping interface inresponse to the first identification code; providing a second trackingdevice from the one or more groups of tracking devices, the secondtracking device having a transceiver; receiving, by the transceiver, thefirst reply signal; comparing the first identification code to a storedidentification code; communicating to a monitoring station a secondreply signal that comprises the location coordinates of the secondtracking device in part responsive to verification of the firstidentification code; and providing, by the user interface, an indicationwhen the second tracking device travels in a direction toward or awayfrom at least one of the tracking device associated with the user andthe tracking device associated with the vehicle.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the vehicle is an automobile.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the tracking device associated with the vehicle is installed inthe vehicle.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmittingdisplacements to a monitoring station to determine current locationcoordinate information of the tracking device.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising setting up a timing schedule, by a cycle managementapparatus, to maximize effectiveness of a request rate and a listen ratein response to a substantially real-time measured velocity of thetracking device.
 6. A method to provide location information via a userinterface, the method comprising: providing, by a location managementcomputing device, user access to a location management dashboard inresponse to detection of a successful user logon, the locationmanagement dashboard comprising a graphical mapping interface configuredto display locations for a plurality of tracking devices, wherein atleast one tracking device from the plurality of tracking devices isassociated with the user and at least one other tracking device from theplurality of tracking devices is associated with a vehicle; providing,by the location management computing device, a request signal to obtainlocation coordinates of the at least one other tracking deviceassociated with the vehicle; receiving, by the location managementcomputing device, a first reply signal from the at least one othertracking device associated with the vehicle that comprises a firstidentification code; displaying, by the location management computingdevice, the location coordinates of the least one tracking deviceassociated with the user and the at least one other tracking deviceassociated with the vehicle via the graphical mapping interface inresponse to the first identification code; receiving, by transceivercircuitry, at least one portion of the first reply signal; measuring, byaccelerometer circuitry, displacements of the tracking device;selectively activating and deactivating, by a battery power monitor, atleast one portion of the transceiver circuitry; computing, by aprocessor circuitry, location coordinates of the tracking device;associating, by the processor circuitry, the displacements with aspecified pattern; and generating, by the processor circuitry, an alertmessage in response to the specified pattern.
 7. The method of claim 6,further comprising transmitting displacements to a monitoring station todetermine current location coordinate information of the trackingdevice.
 8. The method of claim 6, further comprising measuring inreal-time, by a battery power monitor, the battery charge level, andpredicting an estimated remaining battery charge level in response tothe battery charge level.
 9. The method of claim 6, further comprisingsetting up a timing schedule, by a cycle management apparatus, tomaximize effectiveness of a request rate and a listen rate in responseto a substantially real-time measured velocity of the tracking device.